Canucks Army Game Day 60 – Canucks @ Sharks (Granlund Edition)

Good news! There’s no pregame ceremony starting at 7:45 tonight so this one will end at a reasonable hour. Tonight, the Canucks travel to San Jose to take on the surging Sharks. San Jose is coming off a tight game against the Capitals and will look to take over the top spot in the West with a win.

The Canucks have been spinning their tires lately but a win against the Kings in a shootout on Thursday kept them in a fight for the final playoff spot. Vancouver hasn’t fared well against the Sharks and tonight most likely won’t be that different from before. A memorable night from Elias Pettersson will be the first thing the Canucks need to stay close as well as Jacob Markstrom standing on his head… possibly literally.

Let’s Do This!™

TV / RADIO / PUCK DROP

CBC / SN 650 / 7:00 PM

LINEUPS

Luke Schenn was called up and may get a shot to play his first game as a Canuck. Nikolay Goldobin should stay in and really there aren’t many other decisions to make. It’s the Markus Granlund edition today so maybe he gets something done?

Elias Pettersson is getting his space again and it was evident against the Kings when he wired a wrister top shelf. He hasn’t been burning the net lately but he’s getting his chances and when Pettersson gets open, he’s been automatic. A big game against San Jose would be welcome. He has 2G / 4A in his last five games.

Markus Granlund has two goals in his last 10 games. Nothing to write home about. He’s one point away from his second-best season since entering the NHL. His P/60 at 5v5 is just under a point with a 0.99 completion rate. There is good and there is bad with Granlund. He is holding a roster spot hostage now that the youth movement has taken over. Time’s ticking.

It’s no secret that scoring goals in the dirty areas are the difference between the teams in the playoffs and the ones that aren’t. You’re willing to fight for the tough ones, eventually, you get rewarded. The Canucks are still struggling in that area with 454 HDCF events. The Kings have 424 and sit dead last in that category. As of now, both of these teams are not in the playoff picture. Bo Horvat is doing all the work there but he’ll need help if this team is going to continue on in April.

Adam Gaudette needs to stay with the Canucks going forward. His value has already been seen and with the Brandon Sutter injury creating an opportunity for Gaudette, it could be the end of the line for Sutter. He moves the needle and is quickly becoming a player the Canucks can rely upon.

Loui Eriksson on the PK is something that boggles the mind. He’s invisible in almost every other aspect of the game and yet on the PK, he thrives. Tyler Motte has been a beneficiary of this but the Canucks can’t hold out hope that their PK will lead them to victory. Hopefully, Eriksson has one more trick up his sleeve.

MY 94 CENTS

I believe the Canucks are a playoff team. Not a great one, not one that will make any noise but they have a funny way of doing the unthinkable (see Erik Gudbranson extension). Making the playoffs means that they’ll have to start stringing together a few wins in the near future and a win against the Sharks would be hyuge!

Jacob Markstrom has given the Canucks a chance and has solidified himself as the #1 guy. Bo Horvat needs to get back to being over-worked Bo. That’s the guy that is going to carry this team.

Vancouver wins in regulation. Not sure how.

THE TWITTER TAKE

BREAKING: the NHL has renamed the draft lottery to the NHL Draft Lottery Featuring the Edmonton Oilers.